God’s loving grace has gathered us from various peoples and continents into a religious missionary community dedicated to the Divine Word and named after him the Society of the Divine Word.(SVD Const. Prologue)

Memorial Mass for Fr. Vincent Burke, SVD

A memorial Mass was held for the repose of the soul of Fr. Vincent Burke, SVD who died peacefully on September 21, 2017 at the Divine Word Residence, Techny, USA at the age of 83, having spent over half his missionary life in Ghana, The Mass took place on the 9th of October at the Holy Spirit Cathedral. The Mass was presided over by Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, the Archbishop of Accra. Among the Concelebrating priests were Most Rev. Joseph Afrifa, of the Koforidua Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Kumordji of the Donkorkrom vicariate and Rev. Fr. George Angmor, the SVD Superior of Ghana-Liberia. The homily was delivered by Msgr Alex Bobby-Benson.​who recounted his experience with Fr. Burke when he was a student at Aquinas Secondary School.His first assignment was to St. Peter’s Secondary School, Nkwatia, Kwahu. He was involved with the Ghana Education Service for 33 years, where he rose through the ranks as the superintendent, director, and eventually, became a headmaster of Pope John’s Secondary school. Among the other schools he served was St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School. St. Victor’ Major Seminary, Tamale.While we mourn Fr. Burke’s passing, we draw inspiration from his life of committed missionary service. May he rest in perfect peace.

GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)​DATE: 11TH DECEMBER 2017MONDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

FIRST READING: Isaiah 35:1-10PSALM: Psalm 85:9-14GOSPEL: Luke 5:17-26

THEME: HE RAISED ME

We have all had experiences of what it means to fall. Some of these falls are not grave and one can easily get up by oneself but there are some falls, either physical or spiritual, that necessitate the help of another to rise up.

The scene in the Gospel text of a paralytic being carried by men reminds us of our vulnerability and powerlessness in the face of some conditions of our earthly existence. Like the paralyzed man, there are moments in life when we find ourselves helpless. In such moments, we would often have friends and relatives making proposals and suggestions about how and where to find help. Unfortunately, some of these proposals compound the problem and in the end our conditions become worse. The men who carried the paralytic to Jesus point to us where we should go when life’s challenges knock us down.

The biggest knockout one can get is the one caused by sin. It damages the soul and leaves one in a pitiable state. A person crushed by sin can only be brought back to life by God. This would explain why the scribes and Pharisees remarked, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Lk. 5:21).

By raising up the paralytic, Jesus reveals to us that he is able to bring back light into our lives when sin has caused a blackout.Advent is a season when every spiritually paralyzed person is encouraged to look to Jesus for salvation. Rather than condemning friends and loved ones who have been knocked off their feet by spiritual paralysis, we can choose to come to their aid, like the men in the text, and intercede for them before Jesus.

Advent is a season of hope and we are called upon to echo the prophetic words of Isaiah to all who are struggling: “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God” (Isa 35:3-4).

There is hope for everyone who is down. Jesus wants to raise you up.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you raised me up and made me walk again. Thank you for the gift of salvation. Amen

Andrews Obeng, svd

DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES

BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY(Ghana Province)

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL INSTALLED 2017-2020

The Provincial Council appointed by the Superior General in Rome following the consultative votes of members of the Ghana Province of the SVD was installed for the 2017-2020 triennium. The Mass was presided over by Fr. George Angmor the provincial appointed for the second term. The homily was delivered by Most Rev. Gabriel Kumordji, SVD. Present were the SSpS Provincial Leader and the General Superior of the HDR. Also were a number of SVDs.

​The new Prov Council after the installation on the 1st June plunged into Capacity buildingWorkshop on Good governance practices and Models of Communication facilitated byFr. Rex A. Vegbey, the Prov Communication Coordinator.The strategic plan put in place in the previous administration was evaluated and unfinishedbusinesses are to be completed by the present administration. In addition, what seemed to have been mistakes of the past administration would be corrected and the good practices would be enhanced. With the new entrants into the Council, it is hoped that new ideas would come in for effective governance of our province. By and large our Province is moving forward and the self reliance programme would continue to be high on the table for the administration. All confreres are being called upon to contribute their best to make the province what we want it to be especially for the future generation.

SVD GHANA PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ​2017-2020

​PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR: Rev. Fr. George Clement Angmor,

VICE-PROVINCIAL: Rev. Fr. Marek Dabrowski

ADMONITOR: Rev. Fr.Andrews Aboagye Obeng

1ST COUNCILORS: Bro. Oswald Bangfo

​2ND. COUNCILOR Rev. Fr. Jojo George.Monoth

​BISHOP KUMORDJI INSTALLED​BISHOP OF KETA-AKATSI DIOCESE

On the 13th May, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Speich assisted by Most Rev. Emmanuel Fianu. SVD the Apostolic Administrator of Keta-Akatsi Diocese sat Bishop Kumodji three times on his Seat as part of the ceremony to installed Bishop Kumordji, SVD as the Bishop of Keta/Akatsi Diocese.The cermony took place at the Christ the King Cathedral at Akatsi in the Volta region of Ghana. As early as 7 am the ceremony grounds were packed with people from all walks of life to be part of the ceremony. Almost all the Bishops were present as well as our Provincial Superior, Fr. George Angmor and many other major superiors.